Center for Self Advocacy Leadership
Partnership for People with Disabilities
Virginia Commonwealth University
www.VirginiaSelfAdvocacy.org
The Partnership for People with Disabilities is a university center for excellence in developmental disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University.
VCU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color,
national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability. If alternative formats of this document are
needed, please contact the Partnership for People with Disabilities at 804/828-3876 or 800/828-1120 (TDD Relay).
This project is funded by grant number 90DN0226 from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, US Department of Health and Human Services.
The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not infer endorsement by the
Federal government. Please include this disclaimer when copying or using all or any part of the materials in dissemination activities.
10 Good Reasons Why
YOU Should Vote
And How to Register
“People often say that, in a
democracy, decisions are made
by a majority of the people. Of
course, that is not true.
Decisions are made by a majority
of those who make themselves
heard and who vote – a very
different thing.”
Walter H. Judd
Why Should I Vote?.
• You live in a democracy and that means that you get
a say in who runs your country and how your
country is run.
• Voting shows your pride in your nation and its
government.
• The only way democracy works is if citizens, young
and old, are active participants.
Our country is a beacon of liberty for the rest of
the world, stand up and be counted!
A government, by the people - for the people,
just can’t work without the people!
NUMBER 10
If you don’t vote you really
have no right to complain
about government decisions
you don’t like
(no matter how bad those decisions are)
NUMBER 9
It sets a positive example to
your children, your
neighbors and your friends.
NUMBER 8
Voting means you believe in the
democratic process
It represents your right to
freedom of speech
NUMBER 7
Failing to register to vote is
the same as saying
“I don’t care!”
NUMBER 6
If you do not register to vote,
you are missing out on a
great national privilege and
a significant personal
freedom!
NUMBER 5
When you vote, you honor the
sacrifices that our
ancestors made and that
today’s Soldiers make in
fighting for our freedom!
NUMBER 4
You should vote
because you can!
NUMBER 3
The reality is,
your vote counts!
NUMBER 2
It is an HONOR
as well as a RESPONSIBILITY
Number 1 Reason to Vote
If you are old enough to die
for your country, You are
old enough to decide who
makes the decisions!
VOTE!!!
Never surrender your right to
speak your mind via the vote
on election day
How Do I Register
• Get a registration form from either
the local election official in your
county or city, or through
registration outreach programs
• You can also register to vote when
you renew you driver’s license or
state ID at the Department for Motor
Vehicles (DMV)
To be eligible to register to vote
in Virginia a person must:
• Be a Permanent resident of Virginia
• Be a U. S. Citizen
• Be 18 years
• Does not claim the right to vote in any other State
• Not currently declared mentally incompetent by a
court of law
• If convicted of a felony, your right to vote must have
been restored
•
Where Do I Vote
• After you register to vote you
will receive a voting
registration card.
• This card will inform you where
you will vote in all elections
Special Considerations for
Voters with Disabilities
• An explanation of instructions in
simpler language
• A friend or family member to
accompany the individual into a
voting booth
• Assistance in casting a ballot
• Ballots that are available to
individuals with visual impairments.
Absentee voting
• Absentee voting means that a voter
can participate in upcoming elections
even though they may not be able to
go to the polls on election day.
• Absentee voting in person begins
approximately 45 days before a
November General Election and
approximately 30 days before other
elections and ends on the Saturday
before the election
Curbside Voting
• An election official will bring your
ballot to your car outside the polling
place.
• Simply call ahead to notify the early
voting clerk that you want to vote from
your car.
• Curbside voting is available during early
voting, and on Election Day.
YOUR RIGHTS
(AT THE POLLING PLACE)
• To be treated with courtesy and
respect by election officials;
• To be notified if your registration has
been accepted or denied;
• To get help from election officials if
you are unsure about the voting
process;
• To be shown how the voting equipment
works;
YOUR RIGHTS
(AT THE POLLING PLACE)
• To have a ballot brought to your vehicle instead of
entering the polling place if you are 65 years of age
or older, or if you are disabled;
• You may have an officer of election or another
person help you vote if you are physically disabled
or unable to read or write;
•
Blind voters may have any person assist them. Other
voters may have anyone who is not their employer
help them;
• To be allowed to vote even if you do not have
identification with you at the polling site. You must
sign an “Affirmation of Identity” statement before
voting if you have no ID.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
(AT THE POLLING PLACE)
• To treat election officials with the same
courtesy and respect they must give you;
• To show a valid identification document
(ID);
• To ask for help;
• To make sure your ballot is correct
BEFORE casting it. You cannot cast
another ballot, even if you think you
have made a mistake, once a ballot has
been cast;
Transportation to the
Polling Place
• If you check around near
election time you will often find
organizations that will pick you
up and take you to vote and home
again.
– Call your place of worship, the
ARC, your local CIL, etc. -- often
they can help you find
transportation
“Nobody will ever deprive the
American people of the right to
vote except the American people
themselves and the only way
they could do this
is by not voting.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Thank You!